Apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves



Nov. 1, 1955 R. D. TOUTON APPARATUS FOR STRINGING TOBACCO LEAVES FiledApril 12 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

'7 j RUSH D. TOUTON ATTORNEYS Nov. 1, 1955 R. D. TOUTON APPARATUS FORSTRINGING TOBACCO LEAVES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 12 1951 INVEN TOR.RUSH D. TOUTON BY Q R ATTO R N EYS 5 R. D. TOUTON 2,722,321

APPARATUS FOR STRINGING TOBACCO LEAVES Filed April 12, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. RUSH D. TOUTON ATTORNEYS Nov. 1, 1955 R. D.TOUTON APPARATUS FOR STRINGING TOBACCO LEAVES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledApril 12 1951 ll II II II III m M m0 RN m m U mm D H s U R ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent APPARATUS FOR STRINGHNG TOBACCO LEAVES Rush D.Touton, Wynnewood, Pa.

Application April 12, 1951, Serial No. 220,615

6 Claims. (Cl. 214-55) This invention relates to stringing tobaccoleaves.

As is well known, when tobacco is harvested, the leaves are strung onlengths of string secured at one end to a lath, the free end of thestring, after the leaves are strung thereon, is attached to the otherend of the lath and the whole then racked up in a curing barn with the gleaves hanging from the string for the curing of the tobacco leaves.

When the tobacco has cured, the laths are taken down, the ends of thestring are freed from the lath, the tobacco leaves pushed together andthe balance of the string may be wound about the butt portions of theleaves and secured to form hands.

In practice heretofore, the stringing of the tobacco leaves has beenaccomplished manually by operators who string them by passing a needle,carried by the string at its free end, through the butts of the leaves.This operation is open to a number of objections, chief among which isvariation in the number of leaves per lath, unequal spacing of theleaves on the string, wide variation in the number of laths strung perday by different operators, which results in a limited averageproduction, breakage of leaves due to inept operators, loss from fallingleaves during curing resulting from improper stringing, difficulty inobtaining requisite labor for a short seasonable occupation, and risinglabor costs coupled with decreasing productivity.

As a consequence, there have heretofore been many efforts made toprovide mechanism and procedure for the mechanical stringing of tobaccoleaves which would give a constant number of pairs of leaves per lath,uniform spacing of the leaves on the string and increased productivityper operator.

This invention relates to an improvement on the apparatus disclosed inthe copending patent applications by Arthur E. Palmer 22,596, filedApril 22, 1948, now Patent No. 2,649,977 and Rush D. Touton 33,056,filed June 15, 1948, now Patent No. 2,682,341. Generally speaking, theapparatus disclosed in these applications provides economical anduniform spacing of a consistent number of leaves per lath, the leavesbeing securely held by the string with a minimum of falling leaves. Theapparatus provides for securing leaves of tobacco at spaced intervalsbetween a pair of strings which are secured together and to one end of alath, by successively crossing the strings over and under one another,or crossing one string about the other, between tobacco leaves, thebutts of which are successively presented between the strings. Moreparticularly, the strings are so arranged and manipulated that portionsthereof will extend at rest for a period between crossings to enablesuccessive tobacco leaves to be presented between them.

The prior disclosed apparatus did not include means for balancing thetension between the strings and, therefore, it frequently occurred thatone string would be under greater tension than the other. This resultedin 70 one string being substantially straight and passing along thesides of the successive tobacco stems and the other Patented. Nov. 1,1955 string providing loops which passed around each tobacco stem. Whenthis occurred, the stems, which shrink upon drying, had the tendency tofall out of the strings. This problem could be in part overcome byincreasing the tension on the two strings but a sufiicient increase intension to be appreciably effective in over.- coming the problem makesloading and handling more difficult.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved stringfeeding apparatus for intermittently r0.- tating or twisting a pair ofstrings extending. therefrom and affixed to one end of a lath which, inaccordance with the arrangement of the apparatus, permits the insertionof the butts of the tobacco leaves between the strings between crossingsthereof.

It is another object of the invention to provide intermittently rotatingstring feeding apparatus which will maintain balanced and uniform cyclesof tension on the string feeding therethrough and provideuniform contourof the strings as they pass around the stems of the tobacco leaves.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved guide meansassisting the operator in the proper positioning or placement of thebutts of the tobacco leaves between the strings between crossingthereof.

It is another object of this invention to provide proper string tensionduring cut-off and fastening of the string to .the lath after. the lastbutts of tobacco leaves are inserted and secured between the strings ofa lath.

It is still another object of this invention to provide apparatus forcutting. off the string, without waste, after the last butts of tobaccoleaves are inserted and secured between strings of a lath.

The apparatus according to this invention and the mode of its operationaccording to the method of the invention and the various objects of theinvention will become apparent from the following description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is aside view, partly broken away, of an apparatus embodyingthis invention;

Figure 2 is a top view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, partly broken away,showing details of construction of a portion of the apparatus shown inFigure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged showing of a portion of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged showing of the string feeding apparatus shown inFigure 3;

Figure 6 is a view of the right hand side of the apparatus shown inFigure 5;

Figure 7 is a transverse vertical section of a portion of the apparatustaken on the trace 77 of Figure l;

Figures 8 and 9 are enlarged showings of the side of the string cut-offapparatus, as shown in Figure l, with the apparatus shown in successiveoperating positions; and

Figure 10 is an end elevation taken on the trace 10-10 0 of Figure 8showing the cut-off apparatus partly in section.

Referring to the figures there is shown a framework 2 which is providedwith a table portion 4 beside which an operator will stand and on whichthere may be placed tobacco leaves when the operator is operating themachine.

In the upper left hand portion of the framework 2 there is mounted amotor 6 which drives a speed reducer 8 by means of a conventional beltdrive 10. The shaft 12 is driven by the speed reducer and, through thebevelled gears 14, drives the horizontal hollow shaft .16 which rotatesin bearings 18. Operation of the motor may be controlled by the operatorby conventional control means actuated by a push button which may belocated on the machine, in a well known manner, convenient to theoperator.

Attached to and rotatable with the shaft 16 is the plate 20 carryingspindles for mounting the spools of string 22 and 23. String from thespools is fed through the guide member 24 which is mounted on the shaft16 and enters the end of the hollow shaft 16 as indicated generally at26. The strings pass through the hollow shaft 16 from left to right, asviewed in the figures, and emerge from the right hand end of the shaftas shown at 28 and 29. The strings then pass through the string feedingapparatus, indicated generally at 30, which is an intermittentlyrotating tension controlling device and will be hereinafter described indetail. The strings leaving the intermittently rotating device passthrough the slot 32 in the housing 34 and are tied to the end of thelath 36.

The upper end of the shaft 12 is provided with a sprocket 38 driving thechain 40 which in turn drives the sprocket 42 attached to the verticalshaft 44 which is mounted in suitable bearings 45 in the framework 2.The lower end of the shaft 44 mounts a sprocket 46 mounting and drivingthe conveyor chain 48. The conveyor chain 48 is a closed loop chainwhich is supported at its other end by the sprocket 47. The sprocket 47is mounted on the lower end of the shaft 49 which is supported insuitable bearings 50. The bearings are afiixed to a bearing mountingmember 51 which is mounted on the framework 2 by means of the adjustablemounting means 53 in order to provide adjustment for the tension of thechain 48.

The looped chain 48 is spaced at the central portion of the length ofits loop by the sprocket 52 which is rotatably mounted in the sprocketsupporting and chain guiding plate 45. The plate 45, which is preferablymade of wood, is supported at one end by the shaft and sprocket assembly44 and 46, and supported at its other end by the shaft and sprocketassembly 49 and 47. The plate 45 provides a filler in the back of thechain and acts as a guard between the chain and the sprockets. The platefurther serves to prevent flutter or vibration of the chain between thevarious chain supporting sprockets. The spacings between the endsprockets 46 and 49 and the center sprocket 52 are such that there is noappreciable sag in the chain between these supports.

The chain 48 is provided with a plurality of outwardly extending fingers51. These fingers provide for the positive spacing and the support ofthe tobacco leaves as will be hereinafter described. Groups of thesefingers are affixed to the conveyor chain 48 for lengths providing for ameasure of the spacing of the number of tobacco leaves hung from onelath. There may be a plurality of these groups of fingers afiixed to theconveyor chain as indicated in Figure 2, generally at 55 and 56.

The intermittently rotating and tension controlling string feedingdevice, shown generally at 30 in Figures 1 and 3, is shown in detail inFigures 5 and 6. Rigidly mounted on the right hand end portion of thehollow shaft 16 is the collar 58. The collar is provided with anextending pin which is adapted to engage one end of the spring 62. Thecollar is also provided with the ex tending screw 64.

Rigidly afiixed to the shaft 16 is the bushing 66. R0- tatably mountedon the bushing 66 is the sleeve member 68. Affixed to the sleeve member68 for rotation therewith are the member 70 and the opposite end of thespring 62 from that end of the spring engaging the pin 60. The member 72having a central bore 73 is mounted on the sleeve 68 and is freelymovable thereon. The flanges 74 is fixed to the sleeve 68, and mountedbetween the fiange 74 and the member 72 is the spring 76. The end of thespring 76 in engagement with the member 72 is retained in a centralposition by the members 77 which are retained under the heads of thebolts 84 and 85. The spring retaining cups 78 and 79 are rigidly mountedon the member 70. The spring retaining cups 80 and 86, and cups 81 andare slidably mounted on and supported by the bolts 84 and 85 which aremounted on the member 72. The spring 82 is engaged by and supportedbetween the two spring retaining cups 78 and 80, and the spring 83 isengaged by and supported between the cups 85 and 81. The floating member72 is held in a position of equilibrium resulting from the urging ofsprings 82 and 83 and the opposed urging of spring 76. The cups 80 and86, and the cups 85 and 81 are urged toward each other by the urging ofthe springs 82 and 83, respectively.

The member 72 is provided with four outwardly extending string guides91, 92, 93 and 94. The member 70 is provided at one end thereof with aweight member 88. The member 70 is also provided with the extending bolt89 which is adapted to engage the pin 64 as a final limit only to limitthe rotation of the member 70 and the sleeve 68 with respect to theshaft 16 as will be hereinafter described.

The strings 28 and 29 passing through the tubular shaft 16 emerge fromthe right hand end of the shaft, the string 29 passes through the guidemember 92, then between the cup members 80 and 86, then through theguide member 91 and then, as indicated at 29', passes toward the slot 32as shown in Figure 3. Similarly, string 28 passes successively throughguide 94, between the cup members 81 and 85, through the string guide 93and then, as indicated at 28', passes toward the slot 32 as shown inFigure 3.

It will be apparent that, as the two strings are drawn through the slot32 by the motion of the conveyor 48 in a manner hereinafter described,the tension of these two strings will be equalized by the frictionapplied to the strings as they pass between the pairs of cups 85 and 81,and 80 and 86. For example, should the tension on the string 28 becomegreater than the tension on the string 29, the guide 93 will be pulledto the right as viewed in Figure 5 reducing the force provided by thespring 83 between the cups 85 and 81. The member 72 will be twisted onthe sleeve 68 as a result of this motion and the spring 82 will becompressed in order that the member 72 will remain in equilibrium as aresult of balance between the force exerted by the strings, the forceexerted by the spring 76 and the force exerted by the two springs 82 and83. The resulting compression of the spring 82 will increase the forceexerted between the members 80 and 86. Thus the tension on the string 29will be increased, and the tension on the string 28 will be decreased.This action will serve at all times to retain a balanced tension betweenthe two strings and provide auniform rate of feeding of the two stringswith balanced tension as they are drawn through the intermittentlyrotating and tension controlling string feeding device. This provisionof uniform tension between the strings will result in each of thestrings as finally twisted around the stems providing half of the loopnecessary to engage the stern in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 4. Aspreviously described, dissimilar string tensions result in one stringbeing relatively straight and the other string providing substantiallyall of the loop passing around each of the tobacco stems. It will beapparent that this is true for the twist arrangement as well as for the360 twist arrangement.

As previously described, the shaft 16 is rotating at a continuous speedas a result of being driven by the motor 6. The sleeve member 68 isrotatably mounted on the bushing member 66 and is driven by the shaft 16only by means of its connection through the member 70, the spring 62 andthe collar 58. Assuming the intermittently rotating device to be in theposition shown in Figure 3 wherein the strings 28' and 29' are eachlying on a horizontal plane, the strings pass through the slot 32, eachat an outwardly extreme portion thereof. The strings passing through theoutwardly extending string guides 91 and 93, which are spaced apart morewidely than the length of the slot, will tend to prevent rotation of theintermittently rotating device, and the spring 62 will be wound up asthe shaft 16 rotates, and the spring will exert increasingly greaterforce upon the member 70 as it is coiled.

As the shaft 16 continues to rotate, the string guides 92 and 93 willrise to a substantially vertical position after which the stringspassing through the guides will no longer restrain rotation of theguides but will lie in such a position that the string tension will urgerotation by the guides. At this point, the tension on the spring 62 willhave become suflicient in conjunction with the initial tension loadapplied by the stretched strings to cause the intermittently rotatingdevice to rotate. The intermittently rotating device is substantially afree floating string feeding head which is moved with sufficient initialvelocity that it will continue to rotate for 270 thereby returning tothe at rest position as shown in the figures. As the intermittentlyrotating device rotates, the strings 28 and 29' will slide in oppositedirections transversely across the slot 32 to the center of the slotwhere they will cross and then slide outwardly to their previouspositions at the extreme ends of the slots.

The pin 64 which is rigidly mounted on the shaft 16 may be positioned tobe engaged by the bolt 89extending from the member 70 so as to arrestrotation of the intermittently rotating device as rotated an additional90 from the vertical position or an additional 270 from the verticalposition, thereby controlling the provision of a 180 or.360 stringtwist.

The tension provided by the string upon the intermittently rotatingmember. 70 as it passes its vertical position is a major factor in theprovision of a subsequent 270 rapid rotation by the intermittentlyrotating member. It will be apparent that the relative diametricaldistances between the string guides 91 and between the outer ends of theslot 32 in conjunction with the selected axial spacing between the planeof the slot 32 and the plane of rotation of the string guides will havea major bearing on the force exerted on the intermittentlyrotatingmember as a result of the string tension at the time the memberpasses its vertical position. The inertial effect of the counterweight88 and the torsional force exerted by the spring 62 are also effectivein providing the desired rapidity and degree of rotation. It should benoted, however, that the mechanism will pause and then rotate 180 or 360in the absence of any one of the three above mentioned influences and,with only the slot and free floating head being rotated by the shaftwith a pusher pin, the head will pause and rotate 180.

After the device has rotated and come to rest with the strings at theoutward extremities of the slot 32, the device will remain stationaryuntil the shaft 16 has rotated sufliciently to cause the intermittentlyrotating device to rotate again in the manner previously described.

While in the foregoing description reference has been made to theintermittently rotating device as rotating and coming to rest, it willbe apparent that, after the device passes through its period of rapidrotation, there will be some hunting or oscillating by the device untilit finally comes to rest. A magnet 89, as shown in Figure 3, may bemounted on the interior of the housing 34' adjacent to the positionoccupied by the counterweight 88. If the member 70 is made of a suitablenon-magnetic material and the counterweight is made of magneticmaterial, it will be apparent that the magnet will serve to dampen theseoscillations of the intermittently rotating device. The magnet will alsoserve to hold the intermittently rotating device in its at rest positionfor a period of time as measured by the rotation of the shaft 16somewhat longer than the intermittently rotating device would be held inits at rest position by the restraining action of the strings in theslot. It will be apparent that, if 180 rotation is desired, a magnet maybe located, as indicated-at 89',

in order to magnetically engage the counterweight after 180 rotationthereof.

In Figure 1 there is shown generally at 96 the apparatus for tensioningthe strings in preparation for cutting thereof after the last butts oftobacco leaves have been inserted and secured between the strings of alath. This apparatus is shown in detail in Figures 8, 9 and 10. Attachedto the rotating shaft 44 above the lower sprocket 46 is the driving disc104. The housing 106 is supported from the framework 2 by means notshown and serves to retain the string tensioning member 108. One end ofthe spring 110 is attached to the pin 112 mounted in the housing 106,and the other end of the spring is attached to the pin 114 which ismounted in the string tensioning member 108. The string tensioningmember is provided with an extended arm 116 and with an insert portion118 which is made of fiber, rubber or other suitable material having ahigh coefiicient of friction and adapted to be engaged by the outersurface of the driving disc 104.

Mounted above and to the left of the string tensioning device is a fixedcut-off knife assembly as shown generally at 97 in Figure 1. The knifeblade 120, as shown in Figure 10, is mounted in the supporting member122 which is attached to the framework 2 by means not shown in Figure10. The knife blade 120 is positioned in alocation where the operatormay, by grasping the two strings 31 and 33, hook the strings over theknife to cut the strings as will be hereinafter described.

In the operation of the device, an operator standing beside the table 4will grasp a lath from a. conveniently located source of supply and tieto one end of the lath the ends of the two strings 31 and 33 emergingthrough the slot 32. As the conveyor chain assumes a position with thefirst support finger of the group of fingers 54 having completed itsrotation around the sprocket 42, the operator will hook the stringsadjacent to the end of the lath to which they are tied over the firstfinger and position the lath to extend from the finger upwardly to theleft, resting upon the supporting member 89. The conveyor chain willthen carry the lath and the string in the direction indicated by thearrow 39 in Figure 3.

The sprocket 46 is made of minimum possible diameter in order that thespread between the fingers 51 is a maximum as the chain passes aroundthe sprocket. As each finger successively passes around the sprocket,the intermittently rotating device, by being properly synchronized withthe chain, positions the strings to present an open V, generallyindicated by the numeral 96 in Figures 3 and 4, for reception of pairsof stems of tobacco leaves. Inasmuch as the stems of tobacco leaves aregenerally hemispherically in form, it is the customary practice to placetwo leaves together with their top faces facing each other. The twostems will then engage each other and will provide a substantiallycircular form for engagement by the strings. The apex of the anglebetween the strings 31 and 33 is sufliciently acute, however, to providebetween the strings adjacent to the finger against which the tobaccostems are pressed by the operator, a space less than the width of thestems and the desired string pressure against the sides of the stems asthe preceeding string 7 crossing is pressed forward. This will be madeclear by viewing Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows the strings 31' and 33' in the positions they will assumeimmediately after having been crossed by rotation of the intermittentlyrotating device following the insertion of the pair of tobacco stems 98between the strings. The operator will then place the next pair oftobacco stems between the strings, as indicated at 98', and will pressthe stems forwardly against the finger 100 to a position substantiallythat occupied by the stems 98" whereupon the strings will occupy thepositions 31 and 33. It should be noted that the next successiveconveyor finger,

shown at 100' as the portion of the chain to which it is.

attached reaches the point of tangency with the sprocket 46, will assumea position parallel to the finger 100 and, if the operator has notpressed the tobacco stem 98" forward sufi'iciently against the finger100, the finger 100 will engage the stem as it passes through the are103 and carry it forward.

After each of the pairs of tobacco stems are placed between the stringsagainst the moving conveyor finger, continued motion of the conveyorchain will cause the next successive finger to pass around the sprocket46 immediately after the intermittently rotating spring feeding head hasrotated so that, as each conveyor finger arrives at the position of thefinger 100 shown in Figure 4, there will exist an open V between the twostrings for the reception of the next successive pair of tobacco stems.It should be noted that, as the stems are passed forwardly between thestrings, the sliding of the strings against the sides of the stems willgroove them sutficiently that the stems will remain suspended betweenthe strings even before the next successive string crossing occurs.

There is imposed an increased tension on the strings immediately priorto the rotation of the intermittently rotating device partly as a resultof the increased rate of withdrawal of the strings through thetensioning balancing means and partly as a result of the increased anglethrough which the strings are drawn around the edges of the slot 32 asthe tensioning balancing means approaches the vertical position as hasbeen hereinbefore described. Under this pulsating condition of extremetension, the stems will be additionally grooved by the strings duringthe periods of maximum string tension.

It will be apparent that the rate of motion of the conveyor willestablish the frequency with which the tobacco stems are placed betweenthe strings, and the spacing between the fingers 51 will establish thespacing between successive tobacco stems engaged by the twisted strings.While the twisting of the strings is shown in Figures 3 and 4 as being a360 twist, it will be apparent that, as previously described, the twistmay equally well be a 180 twist.

The guide plate 102, as shown in Figure l is provided as a gauge toassist the operator in uniformly positioning the upper ends of each ofthe tobacco stems as the successive tobacco leaves are positionedagainst the conveyor finger and between the strings. It should be notedthat the tobacco leaves may be hung singly as well as in pairs orbunches between successive turns of the strings.

As the operator places successive tobacco leaves in position against thesuccessive conveyor fingers, the previously strung leaves and the lathstrip are carried to the left as viewed in the various figures. When theoperator has placed the tobacco leaves against the last finger of thegroup of fingers on the conveyor chain, and while the conveyor chain isstill carrying the lath and the leaves of the string to the left, theoperator will grasp the two strings 31 and 33, raise them upwardlyaround the end of the lath and place them over or around the arm 116 ofthe string tensioning member 108.

As the operator places the strings 31 and 33 over the arm 116, he willmove the pin 116 and the string tensioning member 108 to the right, asviewed in Figure 8, against the tension of the spring 110. When theportion 118 of the string tensioning member engages the driving disc104, the member 108 will be propelled to the right, as viewed in thefigures, to the extreme right hand end of the housing 106. This motionwill be considerably more rapid than the motion of the chain to theright, as viewed in these figures, due to the fact that the diameter ofthe driving disc 104 is considerably greater than the diameter of thechain driving sprocket 46. This relatively rapid motion of the arm 116to the right will carry the arm and the strings 31 and 33 to an extremeposition, as shown in Figure 9, while the last tobacco stem has moved arelatively small distance as can be seen by comparing the positions ofthe stem 101 in Figures 8 and 9.

When the string tensioning member 108 has moved to the extreme righthand position in the housing 106, the inclined lower edge portion 124 ofthe tensioning member will engage the driving disc, and as a result ofrotation of the disc, will be carried upwardly upon the disc andinwardly from the outer periphery of the disc. With the tensioningmember in this position, the extended spring 110 will draw thetensioning member back to an at rest position, as shown in Figure 8, bydrawing the tensioning member 108 across the top of the disc from aposition, as shown in Figure 9, through the position shown inconstruction lines 108 in Figure 10. The string tensioning member willthen be held in an at rest position, as shown in Figure 8, by thetension of the spring 110.

As the arm 116 pulls the strings to the extreme forward position, asshown in Figure 9, a second operator on the opposite side of the machinewill grasp the strings 31 and 33 and, raising them, will hook them overthe knife blade 120 to cut them. The second operator will then securethe ends of the strings emerging from the string feed to the end of anew latch and position the lath on a machine and begin positioningtobacco leaves between the strings.

At this stage in the process, the strung lath 36 will have assumed aposition lying upon the fingers 51, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, and thefirst operator will, by grasping the lath at its left hand end with hisright hand, be able to, by applying pressure of his thumb upon thestrings passing around or through the slot in the lath upwardly towardthe arm 116, hold the string tension which is created by the stringtensioning during the cut-off operation while he secures the cut-01fends of the string to the left hand end of the lath.

The string tensioning member not only provides increased tension on thestrings prior to cut-0E to tighten the assembly of strung leaves butalso provides an enforced time delay after the last tobacco stem isinserted in position which permits two twists to occur at the end of thestring. These twists will lie between the last tobacco leaf and theportion of the string tied to the lath after cut-off has occurredinsuring permanent and posi tive support and positioning of the lasttobacco stem.

The excess string and the position of the cut-off substantiallveliminates the need for the second operator to manually pull the stringsthrough the tensioning device in order to have sufficient stringavailable for securing the strings to the next successive lath. Thispermits the use of smaller diameter strings which are desirable tincrease the cutting action of the strings into the stems of the tobaccoleaves, as described in connection with Figures 3 and 4, withoutadversely affectin the hands of the operator by the same cutting actionwhen the operator has operated the machine for an extended period oftime.

Tn the normal operation of this device, two operators will be employed,one standing on either side of the machine, and while the first operatoris tying the cut-off end of a string to a lath supporting strung tobaccoleaves. as previouslv described. the other operator will grasp the endsof the strings hanging from the string feedin head. tie these strin s tothe end of a new lath and po ition the lath with strin s hooked over thefirst finger of the next successive group of fingers on the chain 43 andcommence positioning tobacco leaves between the strings and againstsuccessive chain fingers 51 for loadin the next lath strip.

Referring to Fi ure 1 there is provided a limit switch 126 having an arm128 extending therefrom and positinned so as to be engaged by the end ofa lath, such as lath 36, if the lath is not removed from the chain priorto its engaging the limit switch arm. In the normal operation of theapparatus, the conveyor chain 48 will run continuously and, aspreviously described, as each lath is completely loaded and the stringcut off, it will be immediately removed from the conveyor chain. Thelimit switch 126 is provided, in the event of failure of the operator toremove the lath. The limit switch is connected to the driving motorstarting circuit in a conventional and well known fashion to stop thedriving motor 6 in the event that the latch strip is not removed fromthe chain 48 before it engages the limit switch.

This apparatus provides for the rapid and efiicient stringing of tobaccoleaves on a lath in such a fashion that the leaves are securely andpermanently supported between strings having uniform tension.

The apparatus provides not only for the spacing of the tobacco leaves onthe lath, but also provides a pacer, pacing the operator in the speed ofhis work, and at the same time provides assurance that each tobaccostern, by virtue of the grooves formed in the side thereof, as indicatedin Figure 4, will be held securely between the strings. This is truewhether the machine is operated with 180 string rotation between tobaccostems or with 360 string rotation between tobacco stems.

The novel method of insuring final string tension and providingsimplified procedure of string cut-off, as disclosed herein, aidsgreatly to the utility of the apparatus.

It will be apparent that various modifications may be made in thedetails of the structure embodying the invention as disclosed hereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves to a lath comprising, meansmounted on an axis for support of a pair of lengths of string, guidemeans for feeding strings from said support means in spaced relation,said guide means including means for imparting to said spaced stringsintermittent rotation about the axis through at least 180, conveyormeans for carrying strings secured to one end of a lath away from saidguide means as the spaced strings are rotated about the axis, membersaffixed to said conveyor at spaced intervals, said conveyor and saidmembers being constructed and aranged to provide for the reception of atobacco leaf stem between the spaced strings and each of the spacedconveyor members between successive rotations of the strings,intermittently driven means positioned to be engaged by the stringsbetween said guide means and said conveyor for carrying the strings awayfrom said guide means for a limited distance above said conveyor at arate of motion more rapid than that of said conveyor means.

2. Apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves to a lath comprising, meansmounted on an axis for support of a pair of lengths of string, guidemeans for feeding strings from said support means in spaced relation,said guide means including means for imparting to said spaced stringsintermittent rotation about the axis through at least 180, conveyormeans for carrying strings secured to one end of a lath away from saidguide means as the spaced strings are rotated about the axis, membersaffixed to said conveyor at spaced intervals, said conveyor and saidmembers being constructed and arranged to provide for the reception of atobacco leaf stem between the spaced strings and each of the spacedconveyor members between successive rotations of the strings,intermittently driven means positioned to be engaged by the stringsbetween said guide means and said conveyor for carrying the strings awayfrom said guide means for a limited distance above said conveyor at arate of motion more rapid than that of said conveyor means, and meanspositioned adjacent to said intermittently driven means for severing thestrings at a location between the said intermittently driven means andsaid guide means.

3. In apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves; a shaft, means to rotatesaid shaft, a spring support member connected to said shaft, a pair ofcoil springs secured to said member in spaced relation and having theiraxes substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft, means for guidinga pair of lengths of string in spaced relation, means connecting saidguiding means to each spring to cause said guiding means to rotate withsaid spring support member and to frictionally engage said lengths ofstring respectively between the guiding means and the springs tomaintain balanced tension on the strings, means to resist the axialforce exerted by said spring against the guiding means and means toadvance the strings away from the guiding means.

4. In apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves; a shaft having an axialbore adapted to guide a pair of strings, means to rotate said shaft,means mounted at one end of said shaft for support of a pair of lengthsof string, a spring support member connected to the other end of saidshaft, a pair of coil springs secured to said member in spaced relationand having their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft,means for guiding a pair of lengths of string in spaced relation, meansconnecting said guiding means to each spring to cause said guiding meansto rotate with said spring support member and to frictionally engagesaid lengths of string respectively between the guiding means and thesprings to maintain balanced tension on the strings, means to resist theaxial force exerted by said springs against the guiding means and meansto advance the strings away from the guiding means.

5. In apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves; a shaft, means to rotatesaid shaft, a spring support member connected to said shaft, a pair ofcoil springs secured to said member in spaced relation and having theiraxes substantially parallel to the axis of said shaft, means for guidinga pair of lengths of string in spaced relation, means slidably engagingsaid guiding means with said springs including a cup on each spring tofrictionally engage said lengths of string respectively between theguiding means and the cups to maintain balanced tension on the strings,means to resist the axial force exerted by said springs against theguiding means and means to advance the strings away from the guidingmeans.

6. In apparatus for stringing tobacco leaves; a shaft, means to rotatesaid shaft, a spring support member connected to said shaft, a pair ofcoil springs secured to said member in spaced relation, means connectingsaid guiding means to each spring to cause said guiding means to rotatewith said spring support member and to frictionally engage said lengthsof string respectively between the guiding means and the springs tomaintain balanced tension on the strings, spring means to resist theaxial force exerted by said springs against the guiding means and meansto advance the strings away from the guiding means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 16,452Robinson Jan. 20, 1857 17,496 Dutcher June 9, 1857 1,629,169 MassinghamMay 17, 1927 2,156,652 Harris May 2, 1939 2,327,252 Dickerson Aug. 17,1943 2,394,692 Isler Feb. 12, 1946 2,467,113 Deiters Apr. 12, 19492,511,473 Kreeger June 13, 1950 2,538,698 McNeill Ian. 16, 19512,571,003 Anderson Oct. 9, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 773,608 France Sept. 3,1934

